Vladimir Pertsov. An archive photo
One of the most important documents - Directive No.12 “On implementing fundamental principles of the ideology of the Belarusian state” - was signed by the president of Belarus on 9 April. This is a much-anticipated document, primarily because there have been many discussions about what way to go and what guiding principles to use in the work on the ideological front. BelTA talked to Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration Vladimir Pertsov about key points of the document.
Is this document significant, timely and relevant?
The time for such a document has objectively come. In recent years, the president has often raised issues related to ideology, national idea, values and meanings. He gave an instruction to delve deeper into the matters of ideology, propaganda and counter-propaganda. And we have been working on this quite actively.
In short, this directive is essentially a kind of roadmap that defines the concept of statehood in simple and understandable terms, sets out uniform approaches to conducting ideological work throughout the country, including in educational institutions and state-run and private enterprises, and communicates the state agenda. We can say that the document offers uniform rules of the game in the ideological field.
How did the work on the document proceed, who took part in it?
A working group was set up under the Belarus President Administration to align a huge number of proposals, opinions and stances. It did a huge amount of work. The main principle was to proceed from the realities on the ground. This principle of the president helped to get rid of everything superfluous, artificial and far-fetched. In my opinion, the document has been made as practical-oriented as possible.
The directive addresses the key tasks. It defines the ideological guidelines of the Belarusian society at the present stage of development. It describes the mechanism of ideological work, and establishes the key indicators to assess the efficiency of ideological work. This is very important for the effective implementation of the document.
We saw that there were certain nuances in the ideological space that needed to be addressed. Until yesterday, we were guided by the documents of 2003 and 2004, which obviously grew outdated. More so, approaches to ideological work differed from region to region. It was imperative for us to generalize all the experience and establish common approaches to the practical areas of ideological work throughout the country.
The key principles of ideology of the Belarusian society approved by Directive No.12 are premised on certain values and ideas, aren’t they?
Indeed, the directive lays down the key principles of the ideology of the Belarusian society. It is a kind of the ABC for every citizen. It is a succinct and concise description of the life of the Belarusian society and the Belarusian state taking into account its past, present and future. The document highlights the key points in understanding the Belarusian beliefs, values and narratives.
I want to address all critics. This is not about imposing a particular mindset. It is about helping people build a better understanding of the foundations of their country's life. People's minds should not be in chaos!
If we aim to raise thoughtful, patriotic citizens who are ready to defend their country if necessary and clearly understand what is good and what is bad, proper work must be done, and corresponding ideals and values must be promoted in society. And we will do this.
Our so-called Western “teachers” know this very well. They impose the principles of pluralism on us, but in their own countries they introduce punishments, including criminal ones, for attempts to revise established truths of their history and modern statehood.
It is impossible to imagine a German, Italian, or Pole questioning the importance of the unity of their state or suggesting alternative approaches to understanding the past. Such thoughts don't and cannot exist, because the concept of their statehood is so carefully crafted and clear and so effectively implemented across all areas of life. We also must have the same clarity in assessments as well.
It is impossible to imagine a German, Italian, or Pole questioning the importance of the unity of their state or suggesting alternative approaches to understanding the past. Such thoughts don't and cannot exist, because the concept of their statehood is so carefully crafted and clear and so effectively implemented across all areas of life. We also must have the same clarity in assessments as well.
In conclusion, speaking about the key aspects of the directive, I want to emphasize that the document clearly defines the concept, goals, tasks, main forms of ideological work and the entities responsible for its implementation. The directive also establishes key approaches to organizing ideological work within labor collectives and stipulates the obligation to implement the foundations of the Belarusian state’s ideology in all spheres and entities of economic activity, regardless of ownership forms. The responsibility for the state of ideological work is assigned to the leader of a labor collective or industry.
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